Rove La Mer Beach, Jumeirah

La Mer has a new name and a fresh look: the beachfront is now J1 Beach, lined with stylish beach clubs and restaurants just outside your door. Old-school Satwa and the Etihad Museum are close by, and Downtown, Dubai Mall, and City Walk are about a 15-minute drive away. Taxis are the easiest way to explore further.

Dubai-based artists have left their mark throughout the hotel, sharing their take on the Jumeirah neighbourhood through creative installations, signage, and wall art. The mood is relaxed and beachy, with PlayStation, foosball and co-working spaces for anyone who can't quite switch off.

Every Rover Room opens onto a Juliette balcony. Standard rooms overlook the city, but the Sea View rooms are worth the upgrade, with the shimmering Arabian Gulf right below. Crisp white linen, a power rain shower, a 48-inch interactive TV and a sofa bed for an extra guest complete the picture.

Breakfast is cooked to order alongside a buffet, and the hotel's all-day restaurant offers vegan and vegetarian dishes, plus beers, wines, and cocktails. Come sunset, the beach bar overlooking the Gulf is the place to be.

Guests have private beach access, with volleyball on the sand and calm water for a swim. Back at the hotel, the saltwater pool offers sunset sea views, a bar, and a sundeck, and the gym keeps workouts on track.